C2 Hardtop rear window date

[Al R.]

Would a Feb 67 date code on the hardtop rear window be pushing the envelope too much for judging and correctness on a mid to late Feb built car (115XX serial)? I know dates on other items and parts are sometimes days apart or closer. Just wondering or asking for opinions TIA

[Al R.]

Re: C2 Hardtop rear window date

This is not a trick question!!!! Just need a few opinions on what you think!

[John H.]

Re: C2 Hardtop rear window date

Al -

I wouldn't have a problem with a February-dated window on a February-built car; nobody knows what DAY the window was made, just the month.

[Gerard F.]

Re: C2 Hardtop rear window date

Al,

The hardtop rear windshield only has a month and year date code, and as John says, there is no date. So how could anyone challenge a February windshield on a February car.

Just for information, there is an exact date on the hardtop, if you take it apart. Not sure if it is the hardtop assembly date or the molding date of the hardtop shall, but here is what I found on my 67 hardtop:




See that white mark near the top, that is a date stamp. (Also notice the paint overspray on this first time removal of the headliner and backing).

Here's the date stamp closeup:



Geez, they must have made a lot of hardtops in February 67, the car is a June 29 AO Smith car???

[Doug L.]

Re: C2 Hardtop rear window date

This won't be much help for Al. In fact it takes C2 hardtop questions in the opposite direction but it may be of interest to others.

I have no reason to believe my hardtop isn't original. I have photos of the car with 4 of 5 previous owners (no photo from original owner). The bill of sale shows the HT being ordered and the invoice shows it being with the car when it was delivered. The car was/is red and so is the HT. The car is a '64 model year with a Dec '63 build date and delivered from the dealer on 17 March 1964.

I stripped everything off the top to restore it. I didn't look closely until I read this thread today. On the rear inside upper window frame rail in what appears to be crayon I find "403 RED". I understand from this that the top was constructed in April of '63 (the "0" could be a six but appears to be a "0") and painted red at that time, but not installed on the car until some date between December 1963 (build) and March 1964 (delivery). The car was apparently in dealer inventory as it was ordered on 16 March and delivered on 17 March.

Another little anomoly is that the Noland Adams book, page 213, says "All 1964 hardtops have (a notch cut from the front edge of the hardtop to eliminate interference with the door)". Although my hardtop appears to have been built in April '63 the car is clearly a '64 model year. It has no notch. I also note that on the preceding page in the Adams book he shows what he says is a '64 equipped with a hardtop and it has no notch. My guess is that the factory used '63-built hardtops that were in inventory before switching to the notched hardtop. The HT was an option (C07) so there was probably no way to predict how many to build or when to build them.
Doug

I'll probably get dinged on this in judging.

[Harry S.]

Re: C2 Hardtop rear window date

Doug, the number (403) is the Job Number. If it is the original top to the car. That number should match the Job Number on the outside lower passenger side cowl, the area behind the gas tank and the where it was written on the interior side of the doors. The Color (RED) should be the same color of the car body (matching the trim tag).

[Doug L.]

Re: C2 Hardtop rear window date

Hi Harry,
That makes sense except the number on the hardtop does not match the numbers on the underside in the gas tank area. On the vertical rear bulkhead surface the number "132" is written. On the horizontal surface approximately half way between the gas cap hole and the right rear fender well it says "63". Both seem to be crayon. The fiberglass in that area is pristine and nothing else seems to be written there. I did not check on what may be inside the doors and the body is currently at the body shop for paint.

I guess I also wonder why the HT job number would correspond with the car job number since they may have been built many months apart and the HT possibly not ordered until a customer came to the dealer.
Doug

[Harry S.]

Re: C2 Hardtop rear window date

Doug, the hardtop went through the line, especially the paint line, with the body it was to be shipped with. That is why the Job Number had to match. So, If the number does not match, it's not the hardtop originally ordered for the car.

Also, many dealers ordered hardtops for lot cars (sales lot), then saved them for future buyers who wanted a hardtop. Thus the mismatch in numbers.